Welcome to The Po Cafe: New England Charm + Damn Good Food In Washington CT

The iconic Po Café is located in the heart of Washington CT and lives in a charming historic white clapboard house right next to the town’s post office – hence the nickname. The building, once home to a pharmacy and grocery store, sits across from the idyllic town’s church. The area served as the inspiration behind fictional town Stars Hollow made famous by Rory and Lorelei Gilmore. As soon as you walk through the front door you can almost imagine Luke standing behind the counter of the old fashioned soda fountain pouring a cup of coffee.

So, let’s talk about the coffee for a second. Whether you take an Espresso, Cappuccino, Latte, or brewed – dark or medium, The Po takes their coffee very seriously. They order directly from Sun Coffee Roasters – Fair Trade, environmentally-friendly, sustainable, ethical and not to mention absolutely delicious. And what pairs better with a cup of coffee than a freshly baked cookie? A pastry chef by trade, owner Maggie Colangelo still does the baking and the Po clearly has some of the best baked treats around. 

Cookie selections range from Linzer, Black and Whites, Po Chips, Ginger, Oat Raisin, “Sookies” – named after Stars Hollow’s own resident chef (a take on Rocky Road), Coconut Almond Macaroons, M&M and Olive Oil Funfetti. I can attest to their deliciousness having tried most of the aforementioned. I may have developed a particular fondness (you could call it love) for the Ginger which was like none I had had before, and the Gluten-Free Peanut Butter which was the perfect combination of chewy, crisp and soft and was bar-none, the best damned peanut butter cookie I have ever had. The Po Chips ranked up there as well with hints of potato chips and sea salt to round out the sweetness – not to mention my waistline! I should note that these cookies freeze well. So if you’re traveling some ways to visit this charming café, pick up a handful or two and toss them right into the freezer when you get home… if they last that long!

Perhaps you’d prefer something more “breakfasty” with your coffee, an assortment of muffins, scones, “cruffins”, biscuits, tarts, fritters, honey buns, donuts, croissants or her Fresh Fruit Pop Tarts. But the Po is so much more than its baked goods. Named Best New Restaurant by Connecticut Magazine and not without merit. Let me steer you towards the Crispy Egg Chili Crisp Sandwich (above), served on toast with avocado. This was as delicious as it was beautiful, smooth and creamy from the avocado, crispy and just enough heat to satisfy that spicy craving.

Eggs not your thing? You can choose from an assortment of bowls, salads and sandwiches. Hopefully the Smoked Roasted Beef is still on the menu. If it isn’t I IMPLORE you to beg for its return. Made from in-house smoked top round on toasted roll with spring scallion mayo, Vibrant Farms arugula and sorrel, tomato, and local bacon and onion chèvre from Little Farm on Main, in Bethlehem (aka “New Curds on the Block") This is a knock your socks of sandwich! 

Also notable are Maggie’s soups and chili which really hit the mark on a cool fall day. The Mushroom soup was exceptional. Sometimes you have to throw all caution to the wind and not worry about calories and just enjoy something special for what it is – for your well-deserved cheat day ya gotta go for one of their grilled cheese specials. We thoroughly enjoyed an in-house smoked Kimberly Farms fresh mozzarella on black bread with Flirtation Farms kousa jelly. It was truly the most decadent grilled cheese I have ever had - a perfect mix of tangy and sweet, crunchy and gooey with all the cheese-pull goodness you’d ever want. 

Maggie is hugely supportive of and grateful for all the local farms and mongers they’ve partnered with. 

“Vibrant Farm supplies us with specialty sprouts, root veggies, lettuces, tomatoes and herbs. Flirtation Farms supplies us with flowers, herbs, fruit, and rhubarb. A Po fave is our PBJ using Flirtation Farms Concord grapes. Sullivan Farm send us their Maple Syrup and fruit. We get our dairy from Kimberly Farm including yogurt, milk, and fresh mozzarella.  Our Cheese Monger, Kate from “New Curds on the Block” thoughtfully curates CT cheeses for us from Bethlehem’s “Cows Around the Corner” and others. We smoke our meats in-house and use family-owned Omaha Beef out of Danbury.”  

As with every other restaurant and dining establishment nationwide, the Po is not without its staffing issues. These days Maggie is up baking before dawn and is often the only one at the grill… everything on their menu is truly made with love. 

The PO Café 5 Kirby Rd, Washington, CT 06793